Electric switch



^ Aug. 14, 1945.

H. PERRET ELECTRIC SWITCH 2 sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1, 1942 IIIII v 2 INVENTOA AUG 14 1945- H. PERRET A ELECTRIC ySWITCH.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed out. 1, 1942 Patented Aug. 14, 1945 I ELECTRIC SWITCH Henri Perret, Zug, Switzerland, assgnor to Landis & Gyr, A. G., a corporation of Switzerland Application October 1, 1942, Serial No. 460,361 In Switzerland December 16, 1941 (Cl. G- 160) 8 Claims.

Electric switches, such as are employed, for example, in house and lworkshop installations, should desirably be constructed so as to be as simple and take up as little space as possible, while at the same time being rapid in operation. It is ako advantageous to Aprovide means to indicate the condition of the switch from time Ito time, i. e., whether it is in its closed or in its open position. I

One object of the present invention is to provide a switch which is simple of construction, takes up a comparatively small amount of space, and is rapid in operation. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch which may be closed and locked in closed position by preliminary sliding and tilting move ments of actuating means and released for return to normal position by-secondary or nal sliding and tilting movements of the actuating means, the sliding, actuating and releasing movements being in the same direction, whereby such actions Amay be readily attained by successive depressions of a switch button or the like. l v

Still another object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means for at all times. indicating the positions of the switch.

vThe accompanying drawings show, by way of example, two constructional forms of embodiment ofthe invention, wherein there is only shown what is necessary for the understanding of the invention and wherein likewise, with the object of more easily understanding the same, certain variations have been made from the actual construction,

Fig. l is a perspective view, illustrating 'the first embodiment, and

Fig. 2 is a perspective ond embodiment.

The switch shown is a push-button switch, wherein I is the push-button inclosing parts of the switching means. To this push-button I there is connected, as by connecting members Ia, one of which is shown in Fig. 1, a shaft 2, on which is mounted asliding and tilting switch actuating element in the form of a two-armed'lever 3. This lever 3 is vertically disposed and lprovided in its lower arm with a slot of angular form which has a. horizontal part 4 and an upwardly extending vertical part 5 ;Yit also has a frontA lug or projection 6 and a, yrear heel portion 6a, and

view, illustrating the secagainst its rear longitudinal edge above the heelz portion there bears a spring 1, which is fixed to a transverselmember 8 forming partof a lstationary frame or casing 9.

In the construction shown, ,the means employed for directly transmitting motion to the switch comprises a toggle lever device formed of two links III, II pivotally connected together. The link I0 is connected through a .push-rod I2 to the reciprocable switch member I3y whilst the link II is pivotally mounted for swinging movements on a vertically slidable and laterally shiftable shaft I4 and has a bridge piece I4a. 'Ihe shaft I 4 extends through `the slot 4, 5 in the lever 3, and

' arvertically slidable and tiltable locking element in the form of a bail I5 is mounted on the shaft to slide therewith and to tilt thereon. The arms of this bail I5, which pivotallysupport it from the shaft I4, are provided with guiding and locking pins or lugs I6 which engage guide slots or guideways I1 in the frame 9.

In the guide slots or guideways I1 are also fitted and guided the ends of the shafts 2 and I4. A locking notch or recess I8 is provided in each of the guideways Il, which notches are adapted when the parts 3, I4 and I5 are moved downward on .a switch closing'motion to receive the lugs I6 as hereinafter described, whereby the switch will be locked in closed position. The movements of the parts 3, I4 and I5 and the arrangement ofthe notches I8 are, however, such that the shafts 2 and I4 always remain in the guideways, and out of engagementvwith the notches I8.

Normally, as shown, thearms of the bail I5 are arranged vertically, while the body portion of the bail extends at an angle to the vertical in rear of the heel portion 6a of the lever 3, whereby when the lugs I6 on the bail I5 are brought, by downward movement ofthe shaft, into register with the notches I8, `the .bail body swings forward byrgravity to move the lugs into locking engagement with the recesses.

On the lever `3 there is provided an indicator arm I9 which extends into vthe push-button I and is provided with an angular portion 20 which is visible through an' inspection aperture 2| in the front side or top ofthe push-button. This an- 1 gular portion 20 is provided with legends, such as On and OffiVj which show respectively through the aperture in such positions of the switch. These words can be printed in different colors, in order that one may be clearly distinguished from the other.

On the bridge piece 22 forming part of the frame 9 there rests a cylindrical spiral spring-23, which is guided on a` rod 24 xed in the push- .button 1I and sliding in an opening inthe bridge piece 22. The upper end of the spring acts on the push-button -I to normally force the same upwardly and hold the switch in its open position.

Whenin 4order to switch oi manually, the butston l is` furtherdepressed, the leverv3is movedl downward rvon itsflnal traverse and the camgprof jection 2liiisv pressed against thelower wall of. theopening 31, whereby the istrip, i4*3L is tilted: about the axis line 3| in the direction indicated' The ,lever portions .l 4 are, thusV brought into engagement with the stop faces 34;

by arrow 38.

of the bearing pieces 32 causing the latter to swing, so that the spring coils 33 yflex and the movable contacts are `instantaneously withdrawn from engagement with the stationary contacts 25 and the push-button retracting spring returns all` the parts to normal position.

If automatic means of suitable character, be

employedto release the switch in the event of any overcurrent or short-circuit, theA force of, suchmeans may be employed to either act on a lateral arm` 32a of one of the bearing pieces 32 or, as in.,

dicated by the arrow lines 25a, againsta spring coil 33. Then the stop face 34a of this. bearing piece 32 will engage the associated lever portion I4C and oscillate the strip I4?, and the latter will transmit this switch-off movement to the other bearing piece, causing the associated lever portion I4c to engage the coacting stop face. 34 and tip the associated spring 33.

In Fig. 2 a duplex switch is illustrated, but thel switch may embody one, two or more movable switch members, as desired.

may be employed for actuating the switch` The construction of the switch with a sliding and tilting actuating lever, which is spring biased l. A switch operating device including incombination a reciprocable switch member, a slidingk and tilting actuating element having a preliminary sliding traverse and a continued final sliding traverse at the end of its preliminary traverse and in the same direction for switch closing and releasing actions, a sliding and tilting motion transmitting and locking element slidable by andon the preliminary sliding movement of the lac-` tuating element to transmit movement in switch closing direction to the reciprocable switch member, means for tilting the actuating element'at the end of its preliminary traverse to set it for its nal sliding traverse and to eiect tilting motion in one direction of the motion transmit` .ting and locking element to dispose it inv position to be locked, means operative on such tilting motion of the motion transmitting and locking element to lock the same and the actuating element in switch closing position, and means operative on the nal sliding traverse of the actuating element beyond the end of its preliminary traverse to release the parts and return them to normal position and in such action to cause the motion transmitting element to impart movement in switch opening direction to the reciprocable switch member.

2. A switch operating device including in combination a switch member, a sliding and. tilting i Instead of a press-button a lever arrangement* actuating element having preliminary sliding. traverse and a iiinal sliding. traverse in one direction for switchclosing and releasing actions, a slidingand tilting motion transmitting and locking element slidable by yand on the preliminary sliding movement of the actuating element to transmit closing movementto `the switch member, toggle mechanism actuable by the motion. transmitting and locking element ior'closing and opening the switch, means for tilting the actuating element at the end of its preliminary traverse to set it for its iinal sliding traverse and to eiect tilting motion in one direction of the motion transmitting and locking element to dispose it in position to be locked, means operative` on such tilting motion of the motion transmitting and locking element to lock the same and the actuating element in switch closing position, `and means operative on the nal sliding traverse of Ithe actuating element to release the partsand` return them to normal position and move the switch member to open position.

3. A switch operating device including in combination a reciprocable switch member, a sliding and tilting actuating element formed with an angular slot and having a preliminary sliding traverse and a continued nal sliding traverse at the end of its preliminary traverse and in the same direction for switch closing and releasing actions,a sliding and tilting motion transmitting and locking element slidable by and on the Ipreliminary sliding movement of the actuating element to transmit movement in switch closing direction tothe switch member, said motion trans-` mitting element normally occupying` a vportion of the slot in the actuating element and being, held thereby against tilting motion, means forv tilting'the actuating element at the end ofy its preliminaryv traverse to bring the motion trans-v mitting and locking element into anotherHpor-I tion of the slot in the actuating element so as to release said motion transmitting ,element .forv tilting motion and so as to release and dispose the actuating element in position` for its final traverse, meangoperative on such tilting motion of the motion transmitting element torlock thel same and the actuating element in switch clos-l ing positiom and means operative on` the4 final slidingtraverse of the actuating elementgbeylondv the end of lits preliminary traverse to release, the, parts and return them to, normal positionnand move the reciprocable switch `member back t y open position. Y l v 4. A switch operating device including in combination a switch member, a slidingzand ,tiltingl actuating element formed With an angularv slot and having a preliminary sliding traverse and a nal slidingtraverse in one direction for, switch; closing and releasing actions, a sliding` and tilt,-v

ng motion transmitting and locking element slidable by and on the preliminary sliding movement of the actuating element totransmit close ing movement to the switch member, said motion transmitting element normally occupying a portion of the slot `in the actuating element and being held lthereby against tilting motion, toggle mechanism actuable by the motion transmitting and locking element for closing and opening the switch, means for tilting the actuating element at the end of its preliminary traverse to bring the motion transmitting and locking element into another portion of the slot in the actuating element so as to release said motion transmitting element for tilting motion and so as to release and dispose the actuating element in position for-lits finalv traverse, 'means operative funi Sugg tilting motion of the motiontransmitting element to lock fthe same and the 'actuatingelement in switch closing position, and .meanswoperative on Vthe -iinal sliding traverse of .the Vactuating -e'le.

sliding traverse at the end of its preliminaryv traverse -and in the vsame direction 'for switch elosingzand releasing actions,-a sliding and tilting motion transmitting and llocking element slidable by-and on the preliminary sliding V.movement oi the actuating .element to transmit closing movement A.to the switch member, spring means for :normally holding the actuating element fin normal 'position yand tilting the said actuating'V element at the end-ofits preliminary traverse to set it for its nal sliding traverse and to effect tilting motion 1in one direction of the motion transmitting and locking element to `dispose it in position to bevlockedt means operative on such tilting `motion lof the motion transmitting and locking element to lock the same and the actuL ating element in switch closing position, and means operative on the inalsliding .traverse of the actuating element fto :release the parts land return them to normal position and move 'the reciprocable Vswitch member -back to open nasi-l tion.

f 6. A switch operatingdeviceincludinglin combination a switch member, a-sli'ding and tilting actuating element having a preliminary sliding traverse -ancl a iinal sliding traverse in one direction for switch closing and vopeningactionsfa sliding and ltilting motion transmitting and loc-king element Islidable by and on the preliminary slid-` ing movement of the actuatingfelementto transmity closing movement to the switch member,tog gle mechanism actuable by themotion transmitting-'andllockingeleme'nt for closing-and opening the switch spring means for normally holdingthe actuating element in normal positioniand Itilting said actuating element at theen'dvof itszprelimin# ary traverse to set itifor its :finalJsliding` traverse and to eifect tilting motion in one; directionoiA the motion transmitting i and locking @element to -disposeit 1in 'Ypositoin .to Vbe Blocked, means operative on such tilting motion of the motion i-'transmit-l tingand locking element to'lockithefsame .and the actuatingfelement Ainswitclfi` closing position, and Y means operative on the rnalisliding traver'sefof the 'actuating element to Lrelease .the ',partsan'd returnthem to normal position and .move ,the switch ymem-ber to openposition. l

`7. A switch operatingdevice,includingdn combination a.reoiprocable:switch member, a 4sliding and tilting*actuatingelement.formed with antan# ansa-e221 guiar -slotand thaving a preliminary sliding travdirection lforswitohclosing and vreleasing actions,

- a sliding yand tilting motion Vtransmitting 'and locking element slidable -by and von the preliminary.- sliding lrncnrernent of the :actuating element to transmit-,closing:movement-tothe switch-membensaid motion Itransmitting element vnormally occupying 1a portion of 'they slot iin `the actuating element :being 'held thereby against tilting motion, spring means for normally holdingfthe actuating I'element in .normal :position and itiltingsaid actuating element .at the'end 'of #its -preliminary traverse to .bring thefmotion transmitting and looking element sinto another portion of the slotiin .the actuating el'ementsoasto releasesaid motion transmitting frelement for `tilting .motion and Iso as v.to :release yand dispose fthe :actuating element .1in position :for the' iinal traverse, .means operative on such :tilting Tmotion of the motion transmittingfelement=tolockthefsamelandtheactuating :element in .switch closing position,.:and means foperative on "the final sliding "traverse of the Vactuating lelement 1 beyond 'the end f of tits 'preliminary traverse 'to release the parts :and :return them to normal position andmove 4the reciprocable: switchv memberback to open position.

i8. .'A. switch yoperating device :including incombination a reciprocable switchrmember, Va'sliding andtilting actuatingelement formed withianangular slot f and :having'za :preliminary sliding traverse andacontinued-final slidingtraverse at `the endfo'f its preliminary traverseand inthe Vsame direction forswitchclosingf'andsreleasingr actions,

a sliding and tiltingA :motion :transmitting: andk lockingfelement slidablefby `:and on the preliminary f'sliding :movement of the actuating f element to transmit closing movement to the switch mem-v iber, said motion 1transmitting velement normally occupying a :portion :of the "solt -in 'the actuating elementfand being lheld thereby :against tilting motion, Vspring .means ior :normally .holding the actuating Yelernentifin :normalzposition vand tilting said actuating element at the-"endet itspreliminary traverse to bring the motion transmitting and locking element into anothervportion of the slot inthe actuatingfelementzso asfto release saidV motion transmitting element for tilting motion and Vso -as to :release and dispose the --actuating elementin position -for its yiinal traverse, toggle mechanism 'actuable bythe motion transmitting and locking-element for i closing and opening vthe switch, means operative -on such tilting-motionof the motionitransmitting element to lock the same andthe `actuating yelement in switch closing position, and means operative on. the ifinal sliding traverse of the actuating element beyondthe endv of its preliminary traverse to release the ,parts andzreturn them lto normal positionandmove the back to open position.

reciprocableswitch member HENRI .-PERRET. l 

